Texas IAF 40+ Anniversary In Texas Press
IAF Celebrates 40 Years Making Texas Better, El Paso Times [pdf]
Grassroots Grows Up, Texas Observer [pdf]
Ordinary People Acting Extraordinarily, San Antonio Express News [pdf]
Austin Interfaith, COPS and the Big Bang, Austin American Statesman [pdf]
Austin Interfaith Celebrates 30 Years of Building Power, Austin American Statesman [pdf]
De los Santos: My Life-Changing Work with Valley Interfaith, Rio Grande Guardian [pdf]
Organizacion Que Ayuda a la Comunidad Inmigrante en Texas Cumple 40 Anos y se Marca Nuevos Objetivos, La Voz [pdf]
Interfaith Dialogue: Austin Group Celebrates 30 Years of Faith in Action, Catholic Spirit
TMO Focuses on ‘People Power’, Houston Chronicle
Faith Groups Joining in Larger Networks Celebrate 40 Years of Reducing Poverty in Texas, National Catholic Reporter
Grassroots Grows Up by the Texas Observer, Quorum Report
Library Breaks Ground, Valley Interfaith Celebrates Win

Valley Interfaith celebrated the construction of a new library they had fought for, marking the first time in 20 years that "we feel, as citizens, as a community that we belong to the City of Pharr...it is an historic day." The library is the result of a protracted fight between Valley Interfaith leaders and the City of Pharr; the fight included success in signing up and turning out more than 1,000 new voters from Las Milpas.
Read moreBishop Flores of Brownsville Praises Texas IAF

As the 40+ anniversary of the Texas IAF approaches, Bishop Daniel Flores from the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville lauded the work of local affiliate Valley Interfaith as well as that of the Network of Texas IAF Organizations. He says that "it is fitting to recognize those in the community who are making a difference by helping our neighbors in need."
Read moreValley Interfaith Wins Traffic Signal in Brownsville

With 21 accidents occurring at one intersection in the previous 36 months, Valley Interfaith leaders made an issue of that intersection's lack of light signal, demanding that the City of Brownsville install one to prevent further collisions. One complicating factor was the state's reluctance to pay for the improvement on the road, which is a state highway. On March 1st, the City Commissioners voted to appropriate local funds for the signal. Commissioner Jessica Tetreau credited Valley Interfaith for bringing it up.
Read moreValley Interfaith Confronts Candidates on Light, Ambulances, Drainage, Workforce Development and Tax Abatements

Leaders asked candidates to respond yes or no to questions about investments in light posts, workforce development program VIDA, ambulance services into the colonias and the creation of a unified county drainage district. In order to pay for these requested expansions, Valley Interfaith asked candidates whether they would deny tax abatements to companies seeking to expand in Cameron.
Read moreValley Interfaith Leverages New Funding for VIDA

Specifically, the City Council of Raymondville approved $28,0000 in Economic Development Corporation funds to expand VIDA's workforce training into their city. Said Mayor Gilbert Gonzales, "Education is a big thing...it improves our community with better-paying jobs."
Read morePharr Mayor Credentials Work of Valley Interfaith
At the unveiling of a "Promesas del Valle" initiative, in which County leaders explained they are seeking official designation as a 'federal promise zone', Ambrosio Hernandez, the Mayor of Pharr, cited collaboration with Valley Interfaith as one example of a partnership that will continue with or without federal designation.
Read moreValley Interfaith Saves $290K in Funding for VIDA Job Training

One commissioner, despite professing to having his "heart touched by the testimony of the students" told leaders that he might consider an investment of $50K (as opposed to the $290K previously funded by the EDC). In response to Valley Interfaith's vocal rejection of his crumbs, he told leaders they were "going to have problems" if they did not change their attitude.
Read moreValley Interfaith Secures Streetlights in Olmito Colonia

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Valley Interfaith Upsets Pharr Election, Community Wins Big

Valley Interfaith leaders Eddie Anaya, Claudia Garcia, Monse Martinez, and Mauro Hernandez launched a campaign to change the power structure in Pharr, starting with meetings held in homes and at churches. Says Anaya, "We knew, with Valley Interfaith, there was only one way to do this."
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